# NTSB SEA83LA066: Cessna 172N, N738QA, Telma, WA, March 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1983, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Telma, WA
- Coordinates: 47.59988, -122.110603 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5999&lon=-122.1106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39666
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39666/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA066

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH DEEP UNPLOWED SNOW ON THE RUNWAY DURING TAKEOFF AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD LANDED ON FROZEN SNOW BUT WHEN HE RETURNED TO TAKEOFF THE SNOW WAS SOFT. HE HAD A 1200 FT LONG PORTION OF THE RUNWAY CLEARED BUT IT WAS ABOUT 10 FT TOO SHORT. JUST PRIOR TO ROTATION THE NOSE WHEEL CAUGHT THE DEEPER SNOW AT THE END OF THEPLOWED PORTION OF RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT DID NOT USE FLAPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738QA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N738QA), registered now, S/N 17270144, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270144
- Airframe hours: 2006
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wings West
- Registered owner: James B. Koval
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1983, 40 hours before
- Departed: WA32, TELMA, WA
- Destination: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Airport: WA32, Wenatchee State

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 314 total, 150 in this make and model, 233 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAT, 37 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830320008859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830320008859A), Mar 20, 1983: Cessna 172N, Telma, WA, Substantial damage. Plowed 1200 feet of runway prior to departure. Nose wheel hit unplowed 18 inch deep snow portion and flipped over.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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